Feeder for ensilage-cutters.



C. C. GRAY.

- FEEDER FOR ENSILAGE curmzs.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14, i917.

Patented Oct. 1, 1M8.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Emma/nick C. C. GRAY.

FEEDER FOR ENSlLAGE CUTTERS APPLICATION FILED NOV. I4, 1917.

Patented Oct. 1, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

CARL C. GRAY, 0F WAPAKONETA, OHIO.

FEEDER FOR ENSILAGE-CUTTERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented 0ct.:1, 10118.

Original application filed May 31, '1917, Serial No. 172,033. Divided and this application frled November 14,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL C. GRAY, a citizen of the Vnited States, residing at \Vapakoneta. in the county of Auglaize and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Feeders for Ensilage- Cutters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a feeder for ensilage cutters and particularly to a construction adapted to feed the material to be cut at different rates of speed and comprises a division of my application filed MayBl, 1017 Serial No. 172,033 for a similar invention.

The invention has for an object to provide an improved feeding mechanism comprising an adjustable feed table by which material may be fed toward the conveyer belt to the ensilage cutter as delivered from a harvesting mechanism when said table is in a vertically inclined position, and also thereto independent of the harvesting mechanism when said table i in a substantially horizontal position. i a

The invention also provides an improved construction of adjustable swinging feed roll adapted to cooperate with the feed table when in one position or with the conveying belt when shifted.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set forth and the novel feature thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings- 1 Figure 1 is an end elevation of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan thereof;

Fig. 3 is a section thereof, on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail of one hinge of the side board of the feed table;

@F'g. 5 is a detail of the joint in the feed table brace;

Fig. 6 is a top plan of the adjustable driving gears for the feed roller; K Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 8 is a detail of the bevel drive gear and shaft;

Fig. 9 is a detail of the changeable speed controlling worm wheel; and

Fig. 10 is a detail edge view of tw of these worm wheels.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Serial No. 201,953.

sired character and driven by any ordinary connections. for instance the motor shaft 18 is connected to a countershaft 19 by a belt 20. The shaft 19 is provided with a bevel gear 21 meshing with a similar gear- 22 on shaft 23. The latter is provided with a sprocket 24 connected by chain with a sprocket 26 on'cutter shaft 15.

In order to vary the length of ensilage cut and reverse the direction of movement of the feed roller thereto an adjustable driving connection is provided between the roller and cutter shaft. It will be seen that the fast-er the rotation of the feed roller relative to the cutter the longer will be the lengths of material cut. while a relatively slower speed of this roller effects a shorter cut. A simple construction for this purpose comprises a worm gear 105 on shaft 15 of the cutter meshing with a worm \vheel 106 rcmovably secured upon the angular end 107 of a drive shaft 108 carrying at its opposite end a bevel gear 109. This shaft is journaled in a collar 110 carried by an adjustable slotted bracket 111 mounted upon the cutter frame. The curved slot 112 in this bracket permits its adjustment in an are, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 7, to compensate for the difference in size of the worm Wheels 100 used to effect the different relative speeds of rotation-of the cutter and feed roller. As shown in Fig. 10 each of these changeable wheels are formed on a sleeve 113. at different distances from one end thereof wherebv the smaller size is located near the end of shaft 108 and each successive larger size when substituted farther inward thereon. Only one worm wheel 106 i attached to the shaft 108 which is removed when it is desired to employ-a worm Wheel of a different size.

I The beveled gear 109 is mounted to have a driving mesh with either bevel gear 114: or'

119 upon a fixed part.

The frame 13 also supports a delivery conveyer 30 driven by shaft 31 carrying a sprocket from which a chain 33 extends to a sprocket 27 on the cutter shaft 15. A conveyer frame 35 is mounted upon the frame 13 in any desired manner and may be supported at its outer end by a traction wheel (35. The frame has mounted thereon the conveyor belt 11 which extends over and is driven by the shaft 35) at one end and by the shaft -12 at the opposite end. At the outer end of the conveyer belt an inclined feed table and conveyer 13 is pivotally mounted and when inthe vertical position, shown by dotted line in Fig. 1. i adapted to feed downward toward the belt -11 material delivered thereto from a harvester or other mechanism, but when in the substantially horizontal full line position forms a feed table independent of said harvester when the latter is at rest and the part used solely as an ensilage cutter. This table may be supported in any desired manner. such as the jointed brace formed of the lower mcmher 120 pivoted at 121 to the conveyor frame and the upper arms 122 pivoted at 123 to the table. These members are pivoted together at 121 and the arms formed with lateral stops 125 to support'the parts when in vertical position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

From the pivot 123 a supporting finger 126 extends at an angle to the arm 122 and is disposed to hold a side board 127 in vertical position when the table is raised. This board extends beyond the delivery from the harvesting mechanism to direct and confine the stalks between the sides 128 above the conveyer -11. The board 127 is pivoted to the table to swing outward by means of the hinges 129, one member of which is formed with a supporting stop 130. It will be seen that when the table is swung downward the finger 126 moves away from the board 127 permitting the latter to swing outward and form a side feeding surface along the table which is supported in its horizontal position by the stops 125 at the lower end of the arm 122.

Above the eonveyer belt 11 a driven feed roll 44 is carried by swinging arms 15 having supporting legs 28 resting upon the sides 128 when arranged in the dotted line position of Fig. 1, so that the roller cooperates with'the feed table and 'its side board to effect a contacting force feed of the stalks endwise of the belt and toward the cutter. When in the full line position shown this feed roll is supported by its arms -15 resting upon the sides of the conveyer frame 35 and cooperates with the upper face of the conveyer belt 11 to retain stalks horizontally thereon during their travel toward the cutter. This adjustment is particularly desirable for use when feeding independent of aharvesting mechanism. The feed roll is shown as one form of means to accomplishthis function but any other form of feeding device adapted to effect the same action may be used.

The conveying members may be driven in any preferred manner. for example, the shaft 17 is provided with a sprocket. 16 having a chain 17 extending to a sprocket 18 on shaft 39. sprocket -19 from which a chain 50 extends to a sprocket 51 on cross shaft 52. This chainalso drives a sprocket upon a stubshaft carrying a gear 51 which meshes with a gear 55 upon a shaft at the pivot of the arms 15. Fig. 3. This latter shaft carries asprocket 131 from which a chain 132 extends to a sprocket 56 on the shaft 57 of the feed roll. The feed conveyer may be driven from the shaft -12 by the sprocket 5S thereon from which a belt 59 extends to a sprocket- 60 upon the driving shaft 61 for the conveyer.

The conveyer frame 35 is provided with an extension 62 for supporting any desired form of harvesting mechanism 63 the gathering chains of which are arranged to deliver material to the feeding members for the ensilage cutter. At this pointv of delivery the butts of the stalks are turned toward the cutter by a spiked or star wheel 92 on shaft 91 which is driven toward the conveyer by one of the gatherer chains. Fig. These chains may be driven by a bevel gear 76 on shaft. meshing with a cooperating gear 77 on shaft 67. The latter shaft has beveled gears 78 thereon meshing with gears 79 on the shafts 80 common to all of the gathering chains.

In the operation of the invention with the parts in the full line position of Fig. 1, the material is disposed upon the feed table when in a horizontal position by hand and fed therefrom to the conveyer belt upon which it is held and fed by the driven feed roll until delivered to the feed roller at the ensilage cutter. This roller and cutter are relatively driven by an adj ustable or changeable connection to provide for different relative speeds of the cutter and all the feeding members thereto so that di'tferent lengths of stalk may be cut for ensilage, land is alsoformed with means by which the direction of travel of the feed roller to the cutter This shaft also carries a' prevent the collection of material at that point if this roller travels at a less speed than the conveyer. In order to adapt the means for regulating the length of ensilage to be cut to the continuous feed from the conveyer it is inecessary to regulate the drive of the latter relative to the feed roller. The reversing of the drive of the feed roller also reverses the conveyer to prevent jamming or choking at the roller which is liable to occur when a too large feed of stalk butts is given and especially in case the roots of the stalk are accidentally torn up by the harvester and fed to the cutter.

- In the operation of the invention when in the dotted line position of Fig. 1, the stalks are cut by the harvester and fed backward by the gathering chains. Their butts are then turned toward the ensilage cutter so that they fall with their heads upon the inclined feed table. This table and the cooperating feed roll form a force feed for the stalks forward upon the conveyer with their butts in proper position to engage the cutter from which they are discharged to the delivery conveyer. This table and roll are provided with improved means for supporting them in their shifted or adjusted positions and the former has pivoted at its outer edge a side board which acts when raised to assist in controlling the feed to the conveyer and when lowered forms a.

side feed to the table.

The parts hereinbefore described may be mounted upon any suitable form of fixed or movable support and driven from any preferred source of power. Any desired construction of harvester, conveyers, and ensilage cutter may be used, as the invention herein relates to the novel construction of the feeding-mechanism and its cooperative relation to the cutting device or other means for further treatment of the material.

\Vha't I claim is 1. A stalk conveyer, a driven feed table conveyer disposed at the receiving end thereof, and means for delivering the stalk in substantially vertical position upon the face of the stalk conveyer at its receiving, end so thatthe lower portion of the stalk'is c-ari'ied in the direction of travel of the stalk conveyer and its upper portion deposited upon the feed table conveyer.

2. A conveyer, a. feed table conveyer geared to said first mentioned conveyer and disposed at the receiving end thereof, means for delivering material at the junction of said conveyers, and a feed roll driven from and disposed above the first mentioned conveyer and shiftablc to cooperate therewith or with the table conveyer.

3. A stalk conveyer, a driven feed table conveyer disposed at the receiving end there of and inclined thereto, and means extending laterally from the stalk conveyer for delivering the stalk upon the face thereof at its receiving end in a substantially vertical position so that the lower portion of the stalk is carried in the direction of travel of the stalk conveyer and its upper portion deposited upon the feed table conveyer.

"l'. A conveyer, a feed table conveyer disposed at the receiving end of the first mentioned conveyer, and driven feeding means disposed above the first mentioned conveyer and mounted upon pivoted supports arranged to swing to either side of their pivot and engage the conveyer frame in their downward movement to permit cooperation with either of said conveyers.

5. A conveyer, a feed table conveyer pivot-ally mounted at the receiving end of the first mentioned conveyer, means for supporting said table conveyer in a vertically inclined position above the plane of the first mentioned conveyer, and means for delivering material at the junction of said conveyers.

(S. A conveyer a feed table conveyer pivotally mounted at the receiving end of the first mentioned conveyer, means for sup porting said table conveyer in a vertically inclined position above the plane of the first mentioned conveyer, means for delivering material at the junction of said conveyers. and a pivoted side board for said table conveyer arranged to permit a lateral feed thereto.

7. A conveyer, a feed table conveyer disposed at the receiving end of said first inentioned conveyer and inclined from the vertical above the plane of the same, means for delivering material at the junction of said conveyors, and driven feeding means carried by pivotal supports and cooperating with said table conveyer to effect a force feed.

8. A conveyer. a feed table conveyer disposed at the receiving end of said first mentioned conveyer and inclined from the vertical above the plane of the same, means for delivering material at the junction of said conveyers, and driven feeding means mounted upon pivotal supports and shiftable to swing to either side of their pivots to cooperate with the upper face of the first mentioned conveyer or with said table conveyer.

9. The combination of a conveyer. a feed table conveyer disposed at the receiving end thereof and adjustable from a position in clined from the vertical above the plane. of

the first mentioned conveyer to a substantially horizontal position in the same plane therewith, and means for delivering material at the junction of said conveyors.

10. The combinaion of a conveyer, a feed table conveyer disposed at the receiving end thereof and shiftable from a position inclined from the vertical to a substantially horizontal position in the plane of the first mentioned conveyer to feed directly thereto, and a cooperating feeding mechanism delivering to the receiving end of the first mentioned conveyer at the base of the table conveyer.

11. The combination of a conveying belt, a traveling feed table conveyer disposed at the receiving end thereof and shiftable into a substantially vertical position above the plane of the belt or into a substantially horizontal position in the plane thereof, and a driven pivoted feed roll shifta'ble about its pivot for cooperation with the table conveyer in its vertical position or with said belt when the conveyer is in horizontal position.

12. A. conveying belt, a driving shaft for said belt having a connection with the shaft of said roller, a feed table conveyer at. the receiving end of the belt and driven therefrom, and a feed roll mounted above the belt and driven therefrom and shiif-table about its pivot to cooperate with either said belt or conveyor.

13. The combination of a conveying belt, a feed table conveyer pivoted at the receiving end of said belt and shiftable from a substantially horizontal position in the plane thereof to a vertically inclined position above the plane of the belt, a pivoted side board at the outer side edge of the.

conveyer table, and means to automatically retain said board in raised position when the table is vertically inclined and release the board when. said table is lowered.

l-l. The combination of a conveying belt, a feed table conveyer pivoted at the receiving end of said belt and shiftable from a substantially horizontal position in the plane thereof to a vertically inclined position above the plane of the belt, a pivoted side board at the outer edge of said conveyer table, and means to support said table in either position having-a member arranged to automatically retain or release said side board.

15. The combination of a conveying belt, a feed table conveyer pivoted at the receiving end of said belt and shiftable from a substantially horizontal position in the plane thereof to a vertically inclined position above the plane of the belt, apiv oted side-board at the outer edge of said conveyer table, a jointed brace pivoted to said table and a fixed part and constructed to support the table in either position, and a member carried by said brace to automatically engage said board as the table is raised to vertical position.

16. The combination of a conveying belt, a feed table conveyer pivoted at the receiving end of said belt and shiftable from a substantially horizontal position in the plane thereof to a vertically inclined position above ma am the plane of the belt, a pivoted side board at the outer edge of said. conveyer table, a jointed brace arranged to support the table in either position, and an arm from the pivot of said brace upon the table disposed to engage said board when the table is vertically inclined.

17. The combination of a conveying belt, a feed table conveyor pivoted at the receiving end of said belt and shiftable from a substantially horizontal position in the plane thereof to a vertically inclined position above the plane of the belt, abrace disposed to support said table in either position and comprising two members one pivoted to the table and the other to a fixed part, means for pivoting these members together so that the lower end of the member pivoted to thetable may support the same when horizontal, and a stop carried by one member at their pivot and disposed to engage the other member when the table is raised.

18. The combination of a conveying belt,

a feed table conveyer pivoted at the receiving end of saidbelt and shiftable from a substantially horizontal position in the plane thereof to a vertically inclined position above the plane of the belt, a pivoted side board at the outer edge of said table arranged to swing outward to form a feeding surface, a brace to support said table in either position comprising two members pivoted together and to the table and a fixed part, and an angle arm carried by the brace at its table ivot and disposed to engage and retain said card when the table is vertically inclined.

19. .The combination of a conveying belt, a feed table conveyer pivoted at the receiving end of said belt and shiftable from a substantially horizontal position in the pla e thereof'to a vertically inclined position above the plane of the belt, a side board disposed at the outer edge of said table to form a feeding surface, and a pivotal hinge for said board having a stop formed upon one member to support the board in said horizontal position.

20. The combination of a conveying belt, a feed table conveyor at the receiving end of said belt adapted to be sup orted in a vertically inclined position a ove the plane thereof, a feed roll carried by pivoted arms above said belt and shiftable to either side of its pivotal center, and means upon said arms to engage the sides of the belt frame and support said roll in cooperative relation to either said belt or table conveyer.

21. The combination of a conveying belt, a feed table conveyer at the receiving end of said belt and adapted to be supported in a vertically inclined position above the plane thereof, a feed roll carried by pivoted arms above said belt and shiftable to either side of its pivotal center, a driving gear disposed at said pivotal center and driven from said madam belt, and a chain extending from said gear to a gear upon the shaft of said roll at the free ends of said arms.

22. The combination of a horizontally disposed conveyer, a feed table conveyer pivoted beyond the receiving end thereof and disposed in the same horizontal plane, means for shifting the outer end of said table conveyer from the plane of the first mentioned conveyer to a vertically inclined position above the same, and a feed roll mounted above and driven by the first mentioned conveyer and shiftable to cooperate with either conveyer.

23. The combination of a conveyer for feeding material, means independent of the conveyer for turning the lower ends of material into the direction of travel thereof, and a driven feed table conveyer disposed at the receiving end of the first mentioned conveyor to feed the upper ends of material thereto.

24:. The combination of a conveyer for feeding material, means independent of the conveyer for turning the lower ends of material endwise thereto, an inclined driven feed table conveyer at the receiving end of the first mentioned conveyer, and a driven feed roll disposedopposite said table conveyer to cooperate therewith in its feeding action.

25. The combination of a conveyer for feeding material, means independent of the conveyer for turning the lower ends of material endvvise thereto, an inclined driven feed table conveyer at the receiving end of the first mentioned conveyer, a driven feed roll disposed opposite said table conveyer to cooperate therewith in its feeding action, means to permit the shifting of said roll to cooperate with said first mentioned conveyer, and means for shifting said table conveyer into ahorizontal position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature the presence of two Witnesses.

CARL Ga GRAY.

Witnesses:

J. BUR'HDN WELLS, G. E. BLANK. 

